Method and apparatus for watersports

ABSTRACT

A wake generating apparatus may include a frame. The frame may support at least one pair of fins. The frame may include a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus may allow for the frame to removably mount to a transom of a watercraft. The frame may support the fins such that the fins extend approximately below and behind a stern of the watercraft. The fins may be positioned to generate a wake when the watercraft is cruising in the water.

BACKGROUND

Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. One type of wakeboard is a small, mostly rectangular, thin board with very little displacement and shoe-like bindings mounted to it. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing techniques.

The wakeboard is usually towed behind a motorboat watercraft, typically at speeds of 30-40 km/h (18-25 mph), depending on the board size, weight, type of tricks, and comfort. This speed could also depend on the year, make, and model of the boat because some boats, which are not designed for wakeboarding, create a different size wake. Conventionally, wakeboarder can also be towed by other means, including closed-course cable systems, winches, and personal water craft.

Watercraft may include various types of propulsion systems (e.g., in-board, in-board/outboard, or outboard). Watercraft propulsion systems may include props that rotate. High-speed rotation of the props may be hazardous to individuals located near the props.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, a wake generating apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, the wake generating apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, the wake generating apparatus of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, the wake generating apparatus of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, the wake generating apparatus of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates in accordance with some embodiments, the wake generating apparatus of FIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and methods for watersports (e.g., wakeboarding, wakesurfing, or waterskiing) are described herein. According to various embodiments described herein, there is provided a wake generating apparatus 100 that is designed to attach to a watercraft 50 and act to generate a wake suitable to support watersports behind the boat when the boat is cruising at a sufficient speed, typically at speeds of 30-40 km/h (18-25 mph), depending on the board size, weight, type of tricks, and comfort.

The wake generating apparatus 100 includes a pair of wake generating fins 110 each attached to a lower corner 120 of a frame structure 130, for example with a weld, or alternatively with bolts or other fasteners. Frame members 132, 134, 136, 138 and platform 140 provide structural support to hold the wake generating fins 110 in a position on the bottom rear of the watercraft 50 to generate a wake suitable for watersports when the watercraft 50 is cruising at a sufficient speed. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 1-3, frame members 132-138 are connected in a triangular configuration for structural strength and rigidity.

The fins 110 may project outward from the apparatus 100. The fins 110 may project outward from a side of the watercraft 50. The fins 110 may extend below a hull of the watercraft 150. The fins 110 may be positioned behind a stern of the watercraft 50. The fins 110 may be repositionable. The fins 110 may be articulable (e.g., hinged) such that the fins 110 are able to be repositioned. The fins 110 may be repositioned depending upon user needs (e.g., to modify the amount of wake created by the fins 110 or for storage). According to one example embodiment, fins 110 provide a substitute for a ballast system (e.g., bladders that are configured to retain water, thereby increasing the weight of the watercraft) that is conventionally used on the watercraft hull designed to generate a wake.

In an example, the fins 110 may be 20 inches long. The fins 110 may have a height of 12 inches. The fins 110 may be 2.5 inches wide. The fins 110 may have other dimensions. The fins 110 may include rounded (e.g., chamfered) corners. The fins 110 may include surface features (e.g., grooves or ridges) that contribute to the generation of a wake.

Rigidly attached to the platform 140 at points 142 and 144, for example with rigid screws, or alternatively with welding if the platform is made of a material amenable to welding, are U-shaped clamps 150 that are adapted to be attached to watercraft transom 60, and serve to fasten the wake generating apparatus 100 to the watercraft 50. Clamps 150 include screw clamps 152 that may be tightened by turning them into corresponding threaded holes in the clamps, thereby clamping the transom 60 between one side of the U-shaped clamp and the other side. In addition, the weight of the apparatus 100 serves to apply a downward force to hold apparatus 100 in place while the watercraft is cruising and while it is at rest.

According to an example embodiment, the frame members 132-138 are formed of steel and are welded together where they join, and the platform 140 is constructed of a generally planar fiberglass member, with the frame members 132-138 bolted or otherwise fastened to the fiberglass member. In an example embodiment, other materials may also be used for the frame members 130-138, and for the platform 140.

Thus, in an example, the platform 140 covers the propeller 162 of an outboard motor 160 also mounted on the transom of the boat 50. According to an example, propeller 162 is rotated by outboard motor 160 to propel the boat 50 forward or backward in the water, depending on the direction of rotation of the propeller 162.

According to one embodiment, in wakeboarding an individual's feet are held on a board, for example in foot bindings, and the individual holds onto a rope and is towed behind a boat. In another embodiment, in wakesurfing an individual stands on the board, holds onto the back of the boat, the boat accelerates and generates a wake, and the individual lets go of the boat and surfs the wake of the boat, staying close to the boat, such as within 5 feet of the boat, unless they fall or the boat slows down. 

1. Apparatus, comprising: a frame to support at least one pair of fins; the frame including mounting apparatus to removably mount the frame to the transom of a watercraft; and the frame supporting the fins to extend approximately below and behind a stern of the watercraft, wherein the fins are positioned to generate a wake when the watercraft is cruising in the water at a speed sufficient to enable an individual to engage in watersports behind the watercraft in the wake created by the fins, each of the pair of fins being rigidly affixed to the frame on one end so that an opposite end of each fin extends downwardly deeper into the water than the one end, and in a direction outwardly away from a plane that is generally parallel to a side of the boat, the one end of the fin being attached to the frame at a point that is substantially near the side a hull and stern of the boat. 